Greek Kale and Orzo Salad

Here we are… two weeks into the new year and I’m wondering who is still sticking to their “let’s get healthy” resolution? If you’ve fallen off the resolution train already, don’t worry! One calendar day means nothing, however a new attitude about food means everything! Forgetting about that mark on your calendar might be the best “should-have-been resolution” out there because every day is a new day to change how you eat. Every grocery store trip, every meal is a new chance to check ingredient lists and care about what you are putting into your body. Yes, there are times when I eat things that I know aren’t in the game plan, but I don’t dwell on it for too long because I have new meals coming up that can and will be healthy.

I have to start this with a story about my mom. She’s been on diet after diet after diet her whole life and I think she might be beginning to understand that she NEEDS to check ingredient lists for everything. It doesn’t matter if it says “light” or “natural” because chances are it probably isn’t. She was telling me all about her new eating plan, yet mentioned she was still using a bottled dressing. Now, don’t get me wrong, we are all going to fall short somewhere. If 95% of your diet consists of unprocessed foods, then you are doing really great! However, bottled dressings just make me want to throw something. They are so counterproductive it is just upsetting. Big pile of delicious veggies? Here, let’s pour some unhealthy GMO soybean oil and MSG on it! Unhealthy fats, gimmicky lies on the front of the bottles, addictive ingredients, tons of sodium, artificial colors, preservatives, I mean I could write a book about this crap.

At the end of the conversation I told my mom “Listen.. it is all about seasoning your food. Even if it is a salad it needs salt and pepper. Olive oil, vinegar, spices, salt, pepper. That’s all it takes to make your own dressing that you will love to eat. But the key ingredients are salt and pepper. Nobody wants to eat food that is bland, and this is the key to making your own dressing that actually tastes good. TRUTH! 🙂

Other then the obvious health benefits kale is an awesome green to use in make ahead salads because it doesn’t wilt. That’s right, you can dress this salad the night before and you will still have a crisp and fresh green to take for lunch or enjoy at home. Kale can be a little rougher then spinach/romaine so I’d suggest chopping you kale thinly.

Greek Kale and Orzo Salad

By Dana
Published: January 13, 2015

Yield:4 Servings

Prep:15 mins

Cook:10 mins

Ready In:25 mins

New Year, New You? Right? 🙂
Here we are... two weeks into the new year and I'm wondering who is still sticking to their …

Instructions

For chicken: Preheat skillet with 1-2 Tablespoons olive oil over medium/low heat. Season chicken generously with salt and pepper. Cut chicken breast in half lengthwise, then cut each side into small pieces. Dredge chicken in flour, then place chicken in preheated pan. Sauté on one side until golden, then flip. Cook until chicken is white throughout, and set aside.

For Orzo: Cook orzo according to package directions. Drain orzo, rinse under cold water, and set aside.

For salad: Remove large stems from kale and chop in small, thin pieces. Half cherry tomatoes and thinly slice cucumber. Mix all vegies together with cooled orzo and feta cheese.

To assemble: Whisk all dressing ingredients together in a small bowl, and pour over mixed veggies and orzo. Top with cooked chicken. Store in refrigerator for up to 3 days.

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